Hell Creek State Park draft EABy Moosetrack Megan

Montana State Parks (MSP) (stateparks.mt.gov) is seeking public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Facility Improvements at Hell Creek State Park, near Jordan, MT. Public Comment accepted through Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 5pm. The projected cost for the two upgrades is $773,000 with $193,000 coming from special state funding and the other $580,000 from federal Dingell-Johnson excise tax collections.

The proposed improvements include relocating and replacing the existing 8000-gallon metal water tank with a new 25,000-gallon water tank. The existing water tank was installed in 1993 and cannot keep up with the demand for water which has increased with the addition of new park amenities and higher park visitation. The proposed new tank would provide nearly two days of water storage at the projected visitor demands and minimize closures of popular amenities.

The proposal would also remove the fish cleaning station from the primary septic system and construct a dedicated system designed to handle the unique quality of the water effluent. Removal from the primary septic, would alleviate much of the burden placed on the primary system and allow both systems to function adequately.

The existing potable water cistern and fish cleaning system are inadequate to accommodate public usage demands during the peak weekends. If no improvements are made, the existing water storage tank and primary sceptic system are highly likely to fail within two years.

The public is invited to comment on the draft EA. The public comment period will be open for 30 days. Comments are accepted through Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 5pm. To view the EA visit stateparks.mt.gov and click on “Public Notices”

To comment online visit stateparks.mt.gov and click on “submit comments” or by direct link here: http://stateparks.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/recent.html